ACCESSABILITY
'We recognise the importance of tailoring a theatres environment to meet a wide range of physical, sensory, cognitive, and neurological needs. Through these measures, we aim to create a theatre space that is not only accessible, but affirming and empowering for neurodivergent people and their families'.
Kevin Cruise Foundation
As a charity committed to inclusion, we believe that the joy and power of theatre should be accessible to everyone. We are working to break down barriers and create welcoming, supportive environments where all individuals regardless of ability can fully participate in and enjoy live performance.
Neurodiversity is increasingly recognised and celebrated within the arts. It reflects the natural variation in how people think, learn, and experience the world. Conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others are not deficits, but simply differences each bringing unique perspectives and valuable contributions to creative spaces.
To support neurodivergent individuals and their families, we wish to adapt traditional theatre practices to ensure a more inclusive experience. These are relaxed performances – specially adapted shows for individuals who benefit from a more flexible, low-pressure theatre environment. These performances are ideal for people who may find a standard theatre setting overwhelming, including those with sensory or communication needs, or who may make involuntary sounds or need to move during the show. Adjustments may include:
Neurodiversity is increasingly recognised and celebrated within the arts. It reflects the natural variation in how people think, learn, and experience the world. Conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others are not deficits, but simply differences each bringing unique perspectives and valuable contributions to creative spaces.
To support neurodivergent individuals and their families, we wish to adapt traditional theatre practices to ensure a more inclusive experience. These are relaxed performances – specially adapted shows for individuals who benefit from a more flexible, low-pressure theatre environment. These performances are ideal for people who may find a standard theatre setting overwhelming, including those with sensory or communication needs, or who may make involuntary sounds or need to move during the show. Adjustments may include:
House lights: House lights remain at a low level so audience members can see clearly and move around safely.
Sensory reductions: Removal of loud noises, flashing and strobe lighting and sudden effects.
Flexible entry and exit: Audience members are free to move around or exit.
Additional front-of-house staff: Extra trained staff to assist and support visitors.
Chill-out areas: for those needing a break during the performance
British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreter: To ensure the show is accessible for deaf audience members. In our panto relaxed performance at TRW, when looking at the stage our interpreter, Anny will be standing to the right of the stage.
Makaton Interpreter: Providing communication support for those who use simplified signs alongside speech.
Audio Description Services: Available for guests with visual impairments. During our panto relaxed performance at TRW, our trained interpreter, Adrian will be describing the visual elements of the show through personal headsets.
Captioned: A captioned theatre performance displays spoken dialogue, speaker names, and sound effects as synchronized text on electronic screens during a live show. The screens are placed to the left of the stage.
Start-of-Show Introduction: This is a friendly pre-show welcome by a cast member to explain the sensory-friendly rules and help the audience feel comfortable.
Touch Tours: A limited number of pre-show tours will give visually impaired guests the opportunity to explore the set, costumes, and props through touch, helping them to immerse themselves more fully in the performance.
Meet the Mingle Session: Meet-and-mingle opportunities for audience members before the show helping to reduce anxiety and build confidence before the show.
Meet the Greet Session: Meet-and-greet opportunities for audience after the show.
Visual Stories, timings and information: provided in advance to all bookers, offering detailed information and photos of the theatre space and performance. These help to reduce anxiety and prepare audiences for what to expect.
Dementia Friendly: A show specially adapted to create a comfortable, supportive, and inclusive environment for people living with dementia, along with their families, friends, and carer.
No flashing toys on sale: However, photosensitivity exists on a spectrum, and because complete elimination of high-contrast visual changes cannot always be guaranteed, individuals with severe PSE must remain cautious.
Sensory reductions: Removal of loud noises, flashing and strobe lighting and sudden effects.
Flexible entry and exit: Audience members are free to move around or exit.
Additional front-of-house staff: Extra trained staff to assist and support visitors.
Chill-out areas: for those needing a break during the performance
British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreter: To ensure the show is accessible for deaf audience members. In our panto relaxed performance at TRW, when looking at the stage our interpreter, Anny will be standing to the right of the stage.
Makaton Interpreter: Providing communication support for those who use simplified signs alongside speech.
Audio Description Services: Available for guests with visual impairments. During our panto relaxed performance at TRW, our trained interpreter, Adrian will be describing the visual elements of the show through personal headsets.
Captioned: A captioned theatre performance displays spoken dialogue, speaker names, and sound effects as synchronized text on electronic screens during a live show. The screens are placed to the left of the stage.
Start-of-Show Introduction: This is a friendly pre-show welcome by a cast member to explain the sensory-friendly rules and help the audience feel comfortable.
Touch Tours: A limited number of pre-show tours will give visually impaired guests the opportunity to explore the set, costumes, and props through touch, helping them to immerse themselves more fully in the performance.
Meet the Mingle Session: Meet-and-mingle opportunities for audience members before the show helping to reduce anxiety and build confidence before the show.
Meet the Greet Session: Meet-and-greet opportunities for audience after the show.
Visual Stories, timings and information: provided in advance to all bookers, offering detailed information and photos of the theatre space and performance. These help to reduce anxiety and prepare audiences for what to expect.
Dementia Friendly: A show specially adapted to create a comfortable, supportive, and inclusive environment for people living with dementia, along with their families, friends, and carer.
No flashing toys on sale: However, photosensitivity exists on a spectrum, and because complete elimination of high-contrast visual changes cannot always be guaranteed, individuals with severe PSE must remain cautious.
Together, we are building a more inclusive theatre for everyone.
We recognise the importance of tailoring a theatres environment to meet a wide range of physical, sensory, cognitive, and neurological needs. Through these measures, we aim to create a theatre space that is not only accessible, but affirming and empowering for neurodivergent people and their families.
JACK & THE BEANSTALK: RELAXED PERFORMANCE
Part funded & organised by the Kevin Cruise Foundation
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TUESDAY 6TH JANUARY 2027, 6PM
- This performance will include:
- House lights remaining on at a low level
- Sensory Reductions or removal of loud noises, strobe lighting and sudden effects
- Flexible entry and exit policies, with no discouragement of noise or movement
- Additional front-of-house staff trained to assist and support visitors
- Chill-out areas for those needing a break during the performance
- British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreter: To ensure the show is accessible for deaf audience members.
- Audio Description Services: Available for guests with visual impairments, with a trained interpreter describing the visual elements of the show through personal headsets.
- Touch Tours: A limited number of pre-show tours will give visually impaired guests the opportunity to explore the set, costumes, and props through touch, helping them to immerse themselves more fully in the performance.
- Meet the Cast Sessions: Special meet-and-greet opportunities for audience members with additional needs, helping to reduce anxiety and build confidence before and after the show.
- Start-of-Show Introduction: This is a friendly pre-show welcome by a cast member to explain the sensory-friendly rules and help the audience feel comfortable.
- Visual Stories: provided in advance to all bookers, offering detailed information and photos of the theatre space and performance. These help to reduce anxiety and prepare audiences for what to expect.
- Dementia Friendly: A show specially adapted to create a comfortable, supportive, and inclusive environment for people living with dementia, along with their families, friends, and carer.
